What is the application deadline for the nursing program?

The application period for entry into the nursing program is: a. Fall entry: February 1 to June 15 b. Spring entry: July 1 to September 30

What is the difference between the Pre-Nursing program and Nursing program?

a. The Pre-nursing program is a lower-level two- year specific track that students take in order to apply to the School of Nursing. Courses in Pre-Nursing include the Texas Core Curriculum plus Nursing Pre-requisites. The Pre-nursing program resides in the office of Medical & Allied Health, College of Health Sciences and provides advisement for all students desiring to be a nurse.

b. The Nursing program is an upper-level two-year track that prepares students to take the NCLEX exam to become a bachelor-prepared Registered Nurse. Courses in Nursing include a multitude of varied clinical experiences as well as didactic courses. The Nursing program is in the School of Nursing and also part of the College of Health Sciences.

How do I know if my courses will transfer?

Please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Guide which can be found on our website at https://ww2.shsu.edu/regr27wp/. The Office of Admissions evaluates all transcripts and uploads that information to the applicant’s Degree-Works site which can be viewed by the applicant after acceptance to SHSU.

Are letters of recommendation required for acceptance to the Nursing program?

No.

What is the minimum GPA needed to be considered for admission to the nursing program?

An overall GPA of 3.0 is required to apply to the nursing program. However, admission to the nursing program is highly competitive and the cutoff GPA is currently higher than a 3.0 and is dependent on the applicant pool per semester.

Can I attend part time in the Nursing program?

The two-year BSN nursing program at SHSU is an upper-level course for full-time study only and follows specific coursework per semester. The LVN-to-BSN also is for full-time study only and follows specific coursework per semester. The RN-to-BSN has both a full-time track and part-time track.

Can I take a minor or second major while attending nursing school?

No. Nursing school is a rigorous program and includes off campus clinicals. Students enrolled in the SHSU School of Nursing are not permitted to pursue a minor or second major.

What is the minimum score allowed on the TEAS V entrance exam in order to apply to the SHSU School of Nursing?

The minimum score of 64 must be obtained on the TEAS V exam in order to apply. However, admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and the cutoff TEAS V score is currently higher than a 64 and is dependent on the applicant pool per semester.

Where can I take the TEAS V entrance exam?

The TEAS V entrance exam is offered at, and can be taken at, any of the various testing centers on college and university campuses. Information regarding the SHSU Testing Center can be viewed at: http://www.shsu.edu/~tst_www/TEAS.html

When will I find out if I have been accepted to the Nursing Program?

Acceptance emails will be via SHSU email only within 21 days and letters will be mailed via USPS within 4 weeks.

If I am not accepted, can I re-apply?

Yes, but applications are not transferable to the next admission period. You must resubmit complete applications for acceptance to both SHSU and the Nursing Department if you wish to be considered for admission at a later date. However, if you continue enrollment at SHSU, you will not need to re-apply to the university. Documentation of additional coursework that has been completed must also be updated when re-application is made.

Are dormitories available at SHSU?

Will I be required to get immunizations?

Nursing students must comply with the Texas Health Services Immunization requirements for students enrolled in clinical courses in institutions of higher education. Information about specific immunizations is available.

Will I be required to have liability insurance?

BSN students are supplied with liability insurance by SHSU.

Will I be required to have healthcare insurance?

Yes, you must show proof of personal healthcare insurance at the beginning of each semester. Many of our clinical agencies require proof of personal healthcare insurance. SHSU offers a student health insurance plan.

Will I be required to complete criminal background screening?

Yes, students are required to complete criminal background screening after admission to the program. A criminal background check will be done on every applicant who is accepted into the Nursing Program. Instructions for the criminal background check will be included in the letter of acceptance into the program. You will also be asked to complete fingerprint scanning as part of the criminal background check, after you are accepted into the program.

Will I be required to take a drug test?

Yes, students are required to comply with drug testing as part of their continued enrollment in our program. Students are also subject to random drug testing in SHSU's Nursing Program and while at most clinical agencies.

Can I enter the program lacking any prerequisite courses?

No, all prerequisite Arts & Sciences courses must be completed by program entry with a grade of “C” or better in every required pre-requisite course.

Is there a time limit for prerequisite courses?

Yes. Nursing courses and science courses (biology, chemistry, and math) will not be accepted for credit if they are 5 years or older.

IMPORTANT!

Nursing courses and science courses (including biology, chemistry, and math) that were taken 5 years ago or more CANNOT be accepted for credit.

Can I take courses at another college or university and then transfer to the SHSU Nursing Department?

Yes, you can take the prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university. The official transcripts will be evaluated by the Undergraduate Admissions Office for equivalency to the prerequisite courses required for admission to the SHSU Nursing Program. Official transcripts must be sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation before the application deadline. Course work from other nursing programs cannot be accepted for transfer credit at this time.

Send in your official transcripts and apply to SHSU so that your courses can be evaluated for transfer credit.

How do I know if my courses transferred?

SHSU will evaluate your transcript based on a degree audit completed by the Office of Admissions when the student applies to the University. If a student is not currently enrolled in a required course, the student will be notified of the deficiency by U. S. mail.

Does a "D" transfer in to SHSU?

A grade of "D" transfers as credit; however, you will need to retake the course prior to application into the upper division Nursing Program. You must receive a grade of "C" or higher.

Are letters of recommendation required for acceptance into the upper division nursing major?

SHSU Nursing Department does require references.

When will I begin nursing clinical courses?

Students will enroll in clinical courses during the first semester in the nursing program. A clinical course is part of the Nursing curriculum every semester. Nursing students must successfully pass clinical courses along with co-requisite theory classes in order to progress through the program.

Will I need transportation while in the Nursing Program?

Yes, you will need reliable transportation to class and to clinical sites. The faculty will try to accommodate students' carpool needs.

Can I attend part time in the program?

No, the Nursing Program at SHSU is for full time study only; however, this may change in the future.

What type of CPR certification is needed for the Nursing Program, where can we get certified, and when do we have to obtain the certification?

The Basic Life Support (BLS) Health Care Provider Course covering the adult, infant, child, and two-man CPR (two-year Hospital Level Provider coverage) is required. All new BSN students must complete BLS classes prior to enrollment. A copy of your BLS card must be presented by the first day of class. Classes must be taken through the American Heart Association.Here are some instructions for finding a course near you.

How do I find out if my application materials have been received?

After your SHSU application has been processed you will receive a letter from Undergraduate Admissions, which will give you the information required to check the status of your application and any transfer credits. This can take up to 10 working days. Please keep in mind that your acceptance will remain "Pending" until Undergraduate Admissions receives a decision from the program letting them know whether or not you have been accepted or denied admission. To check on the status of your Nursing application, call (936) 294-2371.

Is financial aid available for nursing students?

Yes, financial aid is available for nursing students. For more information about financial aid, please go to the web page: http://www.shsu.edu/~fao_www/

How do I apply for financial aid?

You can complete a financial aid application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You should complete the most current FAFSA. For more information on financial aid, please call 936-294-1774.

Are scholarships available for SHSU Nursing program students?

Yes. SHSU offers scholarships to students in the nursing program. They are competitive scholarships and are based on how well the student performs in the nursing program. Assistance is also available through Financial Aid, including scholarships, loans, and grants outside of SHSU. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~fao_www/scholarship.html or email: nursing@shsu.edu. You must complete the 2015-2016 FAFSA to be considered for Nursing scholarships.

Do students take an exit exam in order to graduate?

No, not at this time. However, students must pass the ATI standardized tests administered throughout the Nursing program. The test administered during the last semester of the program is designed to prepare the student to sit for the NCLEX-RN. That test is a requirement for a last semester course; it is not an exit exam.